Luggage case



July 11, 1967 A. KAPLAN 3,330,389

LUGGAGE CASE Filed April 6, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ARNOLDKAPLAN il w wa ATTORNEY J ly 1967 A. KAPLAN 3,330,339

LUGGAGE CASE Filed April 6, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. ARNOLD KAPLJNATTORNE Y July 11, 1967 A. KAPLAN 3,330,389

LUGGAGE CASE Filed April 6, 1965 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. ARNOLDKlPLA/V United States Patent 3,330,389 LUGGAGE CASE Arnold Kaplan, 1319Auerbach Ave., Hewlett Harbor, N.Y. 11557 Filed Apr. 6, 1965, Ser. No.446,020 37 Claims. (Cl. 190-49) This invention relates to luggage casesand more particularly to improved frame members therefor.

In the luggage case prior art, there are included many examples ofone-piece extruded frame members. The frames used have not been entirelysatisfactory from several standpoints and at best :have imposedunnecessary limitations on the configuration of the case. Manufacturersutilizing one-piece frame construction had the choice of notching theframe to a sharp, miter-type joint at the corners, or alternativelyusing a generous radius at the corners. Both of these choices havesevere drawbacks that are overcome by the present invention.

Considering the first alternative made available by the prior art, it isevident that the metal extrusion had to be carefully heat treated withina very close and specific range in order to provide structural soundnesswhen the frame is notched. This is an additional step which involvesextra costs and extra handling. The incidence of rejection of parts isalso a factor in adding to the cost of the unit. Moreover, even afterthe frame is properly notched and bent, it is still necessary to maskthe mitertype corner in some way. Thus the designer is presented withadditional problems pertaining to the esthetic appeal of the luggage.Additionally, cutting and removing portions of the extruded frame tendsto structurally weaken it to the point where the luggage is susceptibleto damage from rough handling.

The second alternative available to the luggage manufacturer is togenerously round the corners in order to avoid cutting and/or notchingthe frame. There are of course practical limitations to how small aradius can be formed. For a given standard size of luggage, generouslyrounding the corners means that the interior dimension will be reduced.This is a serious drawback, particularly where suits or coats arecarried in the luggage because there will be a tendency to crush andwrinkle the shoulders. Of course, one way to avoid this is to make theentire piece of luggage wider but this is obviously an undesirableexpediency.

By way of contrast, the present invention provides multisection framemembers wherein the straight top, bottom and sides are metal extrusionsand the corners are each preformed separate castings. The corners andsides are provided with interlocking means whereby they may readily besnapped together and securely held by swaging, adhesives or welding. Thecorners may be as sharp as desired and yet no strength characteristicsare sacrificed. The short sections comprising the top, bottom and sidesare much easier to handle than the long continuous frame section of theprior art. No special treatment of the metal is required prior toassembly. Accordingly, since no machining is required on the extruded orcast members, the rejection rate of the members is substantiallyreduced. In addition, unsightly corner joints do not have to bedisguised and the luggage case need not be made unnecessarily large.

The present invention provides improved corner construction for both atop opening and bottom opening luggage case. For both types of cases thedescription and drawings will be directed towards hard shell luggage asopposed to the soft sided, flight bag type, but it should be understoodthat the invention is not limited thereto. For both types of luggage,the support frame for the two side shells is of multisectionconstruction and includes "ice lengths of extruded members whichinterlock with cast corner pieces. In the bottom opening piece ofluggage, comparable to the aforementioned flight bag, waterproofingboots are included at the ends of the flexible hinge on the top of thecase.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provideimproved frame construction in a luggage case.

Another object is to provide improved frame construction for soft andhard sided luggage cases.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a lugagecase frame of multisectioned construction.

A further object is to provide a luggage case wherein the frame thereforis comprised of cast metal corner sections and extruded metal sectionsconnected thereto.

Another object is to provide a multisectioned frame construction forluggage cases wherein the sections interlock by snapping together.

A still further object is to provide luggage case frame constructionwherein the corners are relatively sharp.

These and other features, objects and advantages of the invention will,in part, be pointed out with particularity and will in part, becomeobvious from the following more detailed description of the inventiontaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing which forms anintegral part thereof.

In the various figures of the drawing like reference charactersdesignate like parts.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a prior art piece of luggage of the bottomopening type.

FIG. 1A is a pictorial view of the prior art device of FIG. 1 in theopened condition.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of the present invention as embodied in a topopening luggage case;

FIG. 2A is a bottom plan view of the luggage of FIG. 2;

FIG. 2B is a pictorial view of the FIG. 2 luggage case in the openedposition;

FIG. 3 is a pictorial View of the present invention as embodied in abottom opening luggage case;

FIG. 3A is a bottom plan view of the luggage of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3B is a pictorial view of the FIG. 3 luggage case in the openedposition;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view taken alongline 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation view of one side of theclosure panel taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary plan view taken along line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view taken along line 77 ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation view of the side ofthe closure panel opposite to and mating with that of FIG. 5, the viewbeing taken along line 88 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary plan view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view taken along lineIll-1t) of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation view of another malecorner member taken along line 1111 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary side elevation view taken along line 1212 ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view taken along line 1313of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevation view of anotherfemale corner member taken along line 1414 of FIG. 2;

FIG. is a fragmentary side elevation view taken along line 15-15 of FIG.14;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional elevation view taken along line 16-16of FIG. 15;

. FIG. 17 is a transverse sectional elevational view taken throughmating frame members in the vicinity of a lock;

FIG. 18 is a transverse sectional elevational view illustrating atypical arrangement of the opposed frame members along a side at thebottom of the case intermediate two corners.

FIGS. 19 and 20 are exploded pictorial views of the members comprisingthe female and male portions of the luggage case; and

FIG. 21 is a typical sectional view through a male frame member showingmeans to retain the luggage liner.

Referring now to the drawing and in particular to FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A,there is shown a typical example of the prior art known commonly as aflight bag. Reference character 10 denotes the bag in general. Bag 10 iscomprised of 'side sections 12 and 14, as well as trans 'verse centralportion 16 having an integral handle 18. The

bag usually is soft sided being made of a fabric, but, as will beexplained hereinafter, the sides may be rigid and the transverse,central portion will still serve as a hinge if it is flexible. In orderto use the bag side sections 12 and 14 are separated so that the opposedfaces thereof lie flat and face upwardly. The sections are thencontinuous and can accept a number of full length garments up to thethickness of one of the sections. Usually a continuous, zippered panel20 is provided on the two opposed inner faces of the side sections sothat the clothing may be fully covered and protected.

After the bag is filled, side sections 12 and 14 are brought together asshown in FIG. 1. It will be seen, however, that the outside ends 22 ofcentral portion 16 tend to bunch inwardly causing the clothing thereinto be wrinkled. While the bunching and resulting wrinkling have longbeen recognized as a problem and a shortcoming of the bag, it washitherto felt to be unavoidable inasmuch as the inside had to bemaintained as watertight as possible. The present invention teachesmeans for providing an internal boot that maintains the inside of theluggage substantially watertight and yet does not wrinkle the clothesinside. An outer, openable flap is also provided.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 3B will be used to illustrate only the improved bootfeature of the present invention. Other important features ofconstruction, applicable to FIG. 3 will be discussed hereinafter Withrespect to the FIG. 2 embodiment in order to simplify the description.

Luggage case 30, illustrated in FIGS. 3, 3A and 3B, is of the bottomopening, hard shell type. It should be understood, however, that theimproved boot feature now to be described may be used with equalfacility on a soft sided case. Side sections or panels 32 and 34 areeach concave in cross section and are provided with inwardly depending,peripheral flange portions 36 and 38, respectively, along the threeedges thereof. Matingly opposed frame members 40 and 42, to be describedmore fully hereinafter, are secured to their respective flange portionsto provide closure means for the luggage case.

Flexible hinge member 44 i suitably fastened to the upper end of shells32 and 34 by means of a peripheral welt 46. The hinge is therefore inthe form of an inverted U defined by a central transverse portion 48which includes handle 50 and downwardly depending transverse faces 52and 54. The abutment of faces 50 and 52 and the nonfianged edges ofshells 32 and 34 is concealed by the peripheral welt. Both the outerends of the hinge central portion 48 are provided with a downwardlydepending inner flap or boot 56 which substantially covers the spacebetween the ends of transverse faces 52 and 54. In addition, upwardlyand inwardly depending outer flaps 58 are also provided and arepositioned such that they completely enclose the ends of the hinge byextending 4 between faces 52 and 54. Flaps 56 and 58 are both secured toeach side of the hinge by welts 60, it being noted that welt 60 joinsone end of each flap 56 to the ends of transverse hinge portion 48. Welt60 also joins the side edges of flap 58 to the opposed ends of hingefaces 52 and 54.

As best shown in FIG. 3B, outer flaps 58 are each provided with abisecting zipper 62, there being further provided a snap fastener 64 atthe unattached end of each flap so that they may be releasably securedto mating fasteners on transverse portion 48. Clip 66, integral with theend of zipper 62, is adapted to releasably mate with a lock 68 securedto the side frame of the luggage case. Thus it will be seen that withthe zipper unlocked and open, outer flaps .58 will bend and spread apartwhen the case is opened. When the case holds a full complement ofgarments, inner flaps or boots 56 will serve to prevent crushing of thegarment case and overlaying flaps 58 will complete a substantiallywatertight arrangement. Even more important is the fact that the outerflaps are partially separable. Whereas in the prior art, the comparableportion of the bag was made of one extra long piece to permit fullopening, the present invention permits the bag to lay flat when it isopen because flap 58 separates along a central line defined by thezipper. When the case is closed, the flap will not bulge inwardly towrinkle the clothes because it is no longer than it has to be to permitfull opening. 7

The opposed frame members mentioned hereinabove may best be described inconnection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 2A, 2B and FIGS.4-l8. In the second embodiment, top opening luggage case 70 is comprisedof su-bstanliatly identical shells 72 and 74 joined to each other bymeans of hinges 75. Hanger means 77 may be provided on the inside of thecase and bumpers 79 included on the bottom of the case. Each of theshells have four inwardly directed, peripheral flanges 76a-76d and7811-7811, respectively. Male frame member 40 is secured to flanges76a-76d and female frame member 42 having a handle 43 is secured toflanges 78a-78d (FIG. 2B) in a manner now to be described.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse section illustrating the crosssectional configuration and relationship of frame members 40 and 42 inthe fully assembled condition. The cross section shown in FIG. 4 istypical for any point in the frame assembly between the corner members.

Frame member 40 is comprised of a wall member 80 from which depends aperipheral, outwardly facing longitudinal head 82 having a groove 84therein. Bumper 86 is disposed within the groove and is adapted toprotect the surface of the luggage since it projects outwardlytherefrom. To capture the bumper, the sides of groove 84 are deformedinwardly at a point above the centerline of the bumper. A first ledge 88extends substantially perpendicular from approximately the midpoint ofwall member 80, the ledge being provided with a plurality of teeth 90 onthe upper surface thereof and a shallow recess 92 on the lower surfacethereof. Second ledge 94 extends outwardly from wall 80 intermediate theend thereof and ledge 88. Upturned end 96 together with first and secondledges 88 and 94 as well as a portion of wall 80 define a keyway, thefunction of which will be described hereinafter in conjunction with thecorner assembly. The lower end and inner side of wall 80 is formed witha V-shaped rib 98 projecting towards the center of the luggage.

Frame member 40 is advantageously formed by the continuous extrusion ofa lightweight metal. Prior to assembly, the underside of bead 82diverges slightly away from the upper surface of ledge 88 so that flange76a of shell 72, for example, may be placed therebetween. The bead andthe ledge are crimped causing teeth 90 to bite into ledge 88 thuspreventing the flange 76a from separating from frame member 40.

Female frame member 42, which would also be produced by continuousextrusion of the same lightweight metal as frame member comprises avertical wall .180 adapted to be in abutting, confronting relationshipwith wall when the luggage case is closed. Outwardly facing V-shapedtrack 102 is positioned at the bottom of wall 10!) whereby it mates withV-shaped rib 98 on frame member 40. The abutting walls and the nestingrib and track of each frame member assures that the case will closelytightly all around whereby the interior of the case will be protectedfrom water.

Frame member 42 further comprises a central portion 164 integral withand depending perpendicularly from the uppermost portion of Wall 100.Central portion 184 is provided with a shallow recess 105 in which thereis permanently secured a decorative cover strip 108. Bead having alongitudinal grove 112 dimensioned to receive bumper 114 complementshead 82 and bumper 86 in frame member 41), so that in the closedposition of the case, the frame member is symmertical about centralportion 104. Bumper 1.14 is also captured within groove 112 in the samemanner as bumper 86.

Bead 110 has depending therefrom a short vertical wall 116 substantiallyparallel to and spaced from wall 109. Integral with the bottom of wall116 and extending outwardly from the center of the case is a first ledge118 having a plurality of teeth 120 formed on its upper surface. Teeth1211 are similar in function and configuration to teeth 91) of ledge 88.By way of example, flange 78a of shell 74 is inserted between theinitially diverging bead 110 and first ledge .118. The bead and ledgeare then crimped so that teeth 120 bite into and retain flange 78a inposition.

Second and third ledges 122 and 124 extend inwardly towards the centerof the case from walls 116 and 180, respectively. The underside surfaceof central portion 104, wall 116, and second ledge 122, defines one sideof the keyway while the underside surface of central portion 194, wall108 and third ledge 124, defines the other side of the keyway. Thefunction of the keyway will be described hereinafter in conjunction witha typical corner assembly.

The description given hereinabove is typical for all of the framemembers comprising the four sides of the luggage case. FIG. 4 is typicalfor any point intermediate any two adjacent corners. The only structuraldifferences among the four sides will be due to the inclusion of thehandle in one side, locks in another and binge members in still another.These elements, however, are only additions and therefore the crosssection of the frame members are substantially identical except for thecorners.

Referring now to FlGS. 5-10, a typical upper corner installation will bedescribed. FIGS. 5-7 particularly illustrate a typical male cornermember 13% disposed between adjacent upper and side frame members 40.Corner member 131 has a substantially rectangular volume (FIG. 7) and inthe assembled condition is contiguous with both adjacent side framemembers. The upper surface of corner member 131), in the form of a bead131, is provided with a longitudinal groove 132 contiguous with groove84 and adapted to capture bumper 86. A slot 134 is also provided incorner member whereby flange 76a of shell 72 may be secured (FIG. 7). Itmay best be seen in FIG. 6 that frame members 48 and corner member 139appear to be a single continuous piece.

Corner member 130 is secured to adjacent frame members by means of atongue extending from each of the ends thereof. In FIG. 5, it will beseen that tongue 136 extends horizontally from the lefthand end face ofcorner member 130 and tongue 138 extends vertically downward from therighthand bottom surface of corner member 130. Referring once again toFIG. 4, tongue 136, by way of example, is shown disposed within thekeyway defined by recess 92 in the underside of first ledge 88, aportion of wall 101), second ledge 94 and upturned end 96 of ledge 94.The tongue is secured in the keyway by means of a staking operation theforce of which is applied upwardly against ledge 94 in the directionindicated by the arrow. Alternatively, adhesive may be used for thispurpose, or, if the mating members are aluminum, they may be welded.Slotted post 140 is included in the corner casting and is adapted toreleasably engage a latching mechanism L (FIG. 17).

The comparable female corner member is illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. Bead152 (FIG. 10) is substantially the same in cross section as bead 119 offrame member 42. Further, a longitudinal groove 154 is provided toaccommodate and capture bumper 114. Thus in the assembled condition,corner member 150 appears to be a continuation of frame member 42. As inthe case of the male corner member, a slot 155 is provided in femalecorner member 150 whereby flange 78a of shell 74 may be secured (FIG.10). By means of stepped down central portion 156, provision is made fora latching member which is secured thereto by suitable fastenerspositioned in apertures 158. A typical latch L that may be employed incooperation with post 140 is shown in phantom in FIG. 17.

Corner member 150 also in the form of a metal cas ing is provided withsuitable tongues at each end where by it may be inconspicuously joinedto frame members 42. Since corner member 150 is much wider than cornermember 130, a T-shaped tongue is provided at each end. As bestillustrated in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, tongue 16!) extends horizontally fromthe righthand end face of corner member 150 and tongue 162 extendsvertically downward from the left-hand bottom surface of the covermember. FIG. 4 illustrates the assembled condition of the aforementionedtongues. The keyway defined by the undersurface of central portion 104,a portion of Wall 100 and third ledge 124, accommodates one side oftongue while the keyway defined by the undersurface of central portion104, wall 116 and second ledge 122 accommodates the other side of tongue161). Central portion 161 of tongue 160 fits in between the opposed endsof ledges 122 and 124 (FIG. 4). The central, enlarged thickness oftongue 160 is swaged in the direction of the arrow so that the sideportion thereof is spread laterally thus locking the corner member tothe frame. This type of cross sectional configuration provides increasedruggedness and durability as opposed to two separate parallel tongueswith no central portion. The two separate types of tongue constructionwere found to be inherently weak and had a tendency to fracture. Theforegoing is by way of example, it being understood that the samearrangement is provided for tongue 162 which has a thickened centralportion 163. The central portion is swaged to cause tongue portion 16-2to be displaced laterally, as shown in FIG. 10.

The cast bottom corner members function in substantially the same manneras the upper corner members. However, since no latches are required atthe bottom of the particular case illustrated, the corner members may besubstantially shorter and the mating frame members correspondinglylonger. FIGS. 11-13 illustrate a typical bottom edge corner member 176.Once again, a bead 172 is provided with a groove 174 adapted to capturebumper 86. With the corner member in place, a continuous appearance isachieved together with the adjacent frame members.

Male corner member (FIG. 11) is provided with two tongues 176 and 178.Tongue 176 extends horizontally from the lower part of the lefthand faceof corner member 178 and tongue 178 extends vertically from therighthand side of the corner member upper face.

Female corner member 180 (FIG. 14) is also provided with a groove 182 inbead 184 to capture bumper 114. In the particular corner illustrated,there are two tongues 1'86 and 188, each having a thickened centralportion 187 and 189, respectively, to define a T-shaped cross sectionedconfiguration. The tongues of both male and female corners at the bottomcorners of the case fit into keyways in the frame members 42 in the samemanner as described in conjunction with the upper corners.

The manner in which the frame segments are assembled is illustrated inFIG. 19 and FIG. 20. Disregarding the configuration of each section, itwill be seen that each cast corner member is provided with a tongue ateach end. Each extruded member has a mating keyway at each end. Thus itis a simple matter to assemble the various members as shown and securethem by any of the aforementioned methods.

FIG. 21 is a typical cross section through one of the male framemembers. A fabric inner liner 190 is provided with a fiberboardstiffening member 192 and is inserted between first and second ledge-s88 and 94 of male frame member 40. This feature was omitted from theshowing in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 in the interest of clarity. Since 'thetongue and keyway configuration occurs only proximate the corners of theframe members at the juncture of the cast and extruded components, aclip 1-94 is utilized to secure the liner to the male frame member. Asuitable adhesive may be used to secure the liner to the female memberbut such an expedient is not available with the male member since thebonding surface is not large enough.

Clip 194 is an extruded, rigid plastic in the form of a U defined by afirst leg 196 and a second leg 198 having an enlarged end. After theliner and stiffening member are inserted between ledges 88 and 94, theclip is snapped onto ledge 94 such that enlarged end 198 abuts theliner. A dual purpose is thereby served. The clip not only retains theliner in place but also conceals crimp marks and the bare edge of theliner.

There has been described hereinbefore an improved frame constructionapplicable to both top and bottom opening luggage as well as to soft andhard sided luggage. The multisection construction using straightextruded sections and cast right angle corner members successfullyavoids the shortcomings of the prior art devices. The corners may bemade as sharp as desired thus assuring maximum useful usage of theinterior dimensions without adding unnecessarily to the exteriordimensions. The frame sections need no longer be heat treated to providestrength nor do they have to be machined to achieve square corners.Assembly is done merely by interlocking the various sections togetherand in addition, since the sections are each relatively short theirhandling is much easier.

As an additional feature on the bottom opening luggage case, an improvedhinge member is provided. The inclusion of the inner boot assures thatthe clothes contained therein will not be wrinkled. The inclusion of theopenable outer flap completes the end sealing of the flexible hinge andalso permits the bag to be opened to the fiat condition withoutrequiring an extra long filler piece which would tend to wrinkle theclothes when the bag is closed. It should be noted that the inner bootand openable outer flap arrangement may also be used advantageously oneither hard or soft sided luggage cases having the improved framedescribed herein or the prior art one-piece frame.

There has been disclosed heretofore the best embodiments of theinvention presently contemplated and it is to be understood that variouschanges and modifications may be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A luggage case comprising, in combination:

(a) two concave shells hingedly secured to each other whereby, in theclosed condition, said shells define a hollow compartment having opposedsets of peripheral edges;

(b) first and second opposed, multisectioned frame members secured tosaid peripheral edges of each of said shells, each of said frame memberscomprising: (1) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straightsections secured to the opposing edges of each of said shellsintermediate at least three of the corners thereof,

(2) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sectionssaid straight sections and right angle sections being contiguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a continuous frame member whereineach section of said continuous member is provided with a substantiallyU-shaped, outwardly facing groove on the outer surface thereof, thegrooves beingcontiguous in the assembled condition;

(c) a resilient bumper disposed within the groove, the

outer end of the groove being narrower than the inner end whereby saidbumper is captured therein;

(d) closure'means to releasably secure said shells to each other; and

(e) at least one hinge member joining the lowermost edge of each of saidshells and an external handle member secured to one of said shells, saidframe members being secured to all said edges of each of said shells.

2. A luggage case comprising, in combination:

(a) two concave shells hingedly secured to each other whereby, in theclosed condition, said shells define a hollow compartment having opposedsets of peripheral edges;

(b) first and second opposed, multisectioned frame members secured tosaid peripheral edges of each of said shells, each of said frame memberscomprising:

( 1) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straight sectionssecured to the opposing edges of each of said shells intermediate atleast three of the corners thereof,

( 2) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of eachof said shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straightsections said straight sections and right angle sections beingcontiguous when assembled to define, in combination, a continuous framemember wherein said first frame is a male member having a longitudinalconvexridge extending at least a portion of the entire length thereofand wherein said second frame is a female member having a longitudinalconcave depression extending at least a portion of the entire lengththereof, said ridge and depression of said first and second framemembers, respectively, being adapted to nestingly fit together in theclosed condition of said luggage case;

(c) closure means to releasably secure said shells to each other; and

(d) at least one hinge member joining the lowermost edge of eachof saidshells and an external handle member secured to one of said shells, saidframe members being secured to all said edges of each of said shells.

3. A luggage case comprising, in combination:

(a) two concave shells hingedly secured to each other whereby, in theclosed condition, said shells define a hollow compartment having opposedsets of peripheral edges;

(b) first and second opposed, multisectioned frame members secured tosaid peripheral edges of each of said shells, each of said frame memberscomprismg:

(1) a plurality. of elongated, substantially rigid, straight sectionssecured to the opposing edges of each of said shells intermediate atleast three of the corners thereof,

(2) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sectionssaid straight sections and right angle sections being contiguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a continuous frame member whereinsaid first and second frame members have different Widths, the wider ofsaid two frame members including a latch, the narrower of said framemembers including means to engage said latch, the combination of saidlatch and latch-engaging means defining said closure means;

(c) closure means to releasably secure said shells to each other; and

(d) at least one hinge member joining the lowermost edge of each of saidshells and an external handle member secured to one of said shells, saidframe members being secured to all said edge of each of said shells.

4. A luggage case comprising, in combination:

(a) two concave shells hingedly secured to each other whereby, in theclosed condition, said shells define a hollow compartment having opposedsets of peripheral edges;

(b) first and second opposed, multisectioned frame members secured tosaid peripheral edges of each of said shells, each of said frame memberscomprising:

(1) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straight sectionssecured to the opposing edges of each of said shells intermediate atleast three of the corners thereof,

(2) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sectionssaid straight sections and right angle sections being continguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a continuous frame member whereinsaid right angle sections are defined by first and second tongue membersextending outwardly therefrom along an axis parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said straight sections, said first and second tongue membersbeing in planes mutually perpendicular to each other whereby, in theassembled condition, said first tongue member is in the plane of one ofsaid straight sections and said second tongue member, at right anglesthereto, is in the plane of another adjacent one of said straightsections, and said right angle sections in said first frame member aremale sections and said right angle sections in said second frame memberare female sections, said tongues of said male and female right anglesections having different widths whereby said wider tongues are adaptedto mate with the keyway of said wider straight sections and saidnarrower tongues are adapted to mate with said narrower straightsections;

(c) closure means to releasably secure said shells to each other; and

(d) at least one hinge member joining the lowermost edge of each of saidshells and an external handle member secured to one of said shells, saidframe members being secured to all said edges of each of said shells.

5. A luggage case comprising, in combination:

(a) two concave shells hingedly secured to each other whereby, in theclosed condition, said shells define a hollow compartment having opposedsets of peripheral edges;

(b) first and second opposed, multisectioned frame members secured tosaid peripheral edge of each of said shells, each of said frame memberscompris- (1) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straightsections secured to the opposing edges of each of said shellsintermediate at least three of the corners thereof,

(2) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sectionssaid straight sections and right angle sections being contiguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a continuous frame member;

(0) at least one hinge member joining the uppermost edges of each ofsaid shells and an external handle member secured to said hinge member,said frame members being secured to the remaining edges of each of saidshells; and

(d) closure means to releasably secure said shells to each other.

6. An improved frame member for a luggage case having two concave shellshingedly secured to each other whereby the edges of the shells are inopposition to each other to define a hollow compartment in the closedcondition, the luggage case further including closure means toreleasably secure the shells to each other, said improvement comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straight sectionssecured to the opposing edges of each of said shells intermediate atleast three of the corners thereof; and

(b) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sections,said straight sections and right angle sections being contiguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a continuous frame member; whereineach section of said frame members is provided with a substantiallyU-shaped, outwardly facing groove on the outer surface thereof, thegrooves being contiguous in the assembled condition, there being furtherprovided a resilient bumper disposed within the groove, the outer end ofthe groove being narrower than the inner end whereby said bumper iscaptured therein.

7. An improved frame member for a luggage case hav ing two concaveshells hingedly secured to each other whereby the edges of the shellsare in opposition to each other to define a hollow compartment in theclosed condi tion, the luggage case further including closure means toreleasably secure the shells to each other, said improvement comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straight sectionssecured to the opposing edges of each of said shells intermediate atleast three of the corners thereof; and

(b) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sections,said straight sections and right angle sections being contiguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a continuous frame member; whereinsaid first frame is a male member having a longitudinal convex ridgeextending at least a portion of the entire length thereof and whereinsaid second frame is a female member having a longitudinal concavedepression extending at least a portion of the entire length thereof,said ridge and depression of said first and second frame members,resepctively, being adapted to nestingly fit to gether in the closedcondition of said luggage case.

8. An improved frame member for a luggage case having two concave shellshingedly secured to each other whereby the edges of the shells are inopposition to each other to define a hollow compartment in the closedcondition, the luggage case further including closure means toreleasably secure the shells to each other, said improvement comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straight sectionssecured to the opposing edges of each of said shells intermediate atleast three of the corners thereof; and

(b) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sections,said straight sections and right angle sections being contiguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a continuous frame member; whereinsaid first and second frame 1 1 members have different widths, the widerof said two frame members including a latch, the narrower of said framemembers including means to engage said latch, the combination of saidlatch and latch-engaging means defining said closure means.

9. An improved frame member for a luggage case having two concave shellshingedly secured to each other whereby the edges of the shells are inopposition to each other to define a hollow compartment in the closedcondition, the luggage case further including closure means toreleasably secure the shells to each other, said improvement comprising:

(a) a plurality of elongated, substantially rigid, straight sectionssecured to the opposing edges of each of said shells intermediate atleast three of the corners thereof; and

(b) a rigid, right angle section secured at said corner edges of each ofsaid shells to opposed ends of each pair of adjacent straight sections,said straight sections and right angle sections being contiguous whenassembled to define, in combination, a contiguous frame member; whereinsaid right angle sections are defined by first and second tongue membersextending outwardly therefrom along an axis parallel to the longitudinalaxis of said straight sections, said first and second tongue membersbeing in planes mutually perpendicular to each other whereby, in theassembled condition, said first tongue member is in the plane of one ofsaid straight sections and said second tongue member, at right anglesthereto, is in the plane of another adjacent one of said straightsections and said right angle sections in said first frame member aremale sections and said right angle sections in said second frame memberare female sections, said tongues of said male and female right anglesections having different widths whereby said wider tongues are adaptedto mate with the keyways of said wider straight sections and saidnarrower tongues are adapted to mate with said narrower straightsections.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 4 wherein said widertongues of said right angle sections are defined by a thickened centralportion, said thickened central portion being adapted to be deformedwhereby the thinner side portions of said tongue will expand laterallyto the longitudinal axis of said tongue to thereby lock said tongue inthe keyway of said straight section.

11. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of saidstraight sections is provided with a keyway at each end thereof and eachof said right angle sections is provided with a tongue extension at eachend thereof, said tongues and keyways being adapted for an interfittingand locking relationship in the assembled condition.

12. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein each section ofsaid frame members is provided with a substantially U-shaped, outwardlyfacing groove on the outer surface thereof, the grooves being contiguousin the assembled condition, there being further provided a resilientbumper disposed within the groove, the outer end of the groove beingnarrower than the inner end whereby said bumper is captured therein.

13. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first frameis a male member having a longitudinal convex ridge extending at least aportion of the entire length thereof and wherein said second frame is afemale member having a longitudinal concave depression extending atleast a portion of the entire length thereof, said ridge and depressionof said first and second frame members, respectively, being adapted tonestingly fit together in the closed condition of said luggage case.

14. The combination in accordance with claim '5 wherein said first andsecond frame members have different widths, the wider of said two framemembers including a latch, the narrower of said frame members includingmeans to engage said latch, the combination of said latch andlatch-engaging means defining said closure means.

15. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said right anglesections are defined by first and second tongue members extendingoutwardly therefrom along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis ofsaid straight sections, said first and second tongue members being inplanes mutually perpendicular to each other whereby, in the assembledcondition, said first tongue member is in the plane of one of saidstraight sections and said second tongue member, at right anglesthereto, is in the plane of another adjacent one of said straightsections. a

16. The combination in accordance with claim 15 wherein said right anglesections in said first frame member are male sections and said rightangle sections in said second frame member are female sections, saidtongues of said male and female right angle sections having differentwidths whereby said wider tongues are adapted to mate with the keywaysof said wider straight sections and said narrower tongues are adapted tomate with said narrower straight sections.

17. The combination in accordance with claim 16 wherein said widertongues of said right angle sections are defined by a thickened centralportion, said thickened central portion being adapted to be deformedwhereby the thinner side portions of said tongue will expand laterallyto the longitudinal axis of said tongue to thereby lock said tongue inthe keyway of said straight section.

18. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said straightsections are extrusions and said right angle sections are castings.

19. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said shells areflexible.

20. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said shells arerigid.

21. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said hinge memberis a flexible, sheet material member.

22. The combination in accordance with claim 5 wherein said hinge memberis in the form of an inverted, open ended U-shaped, elongated channelhaving a central portion and two downwardly depeding spaced legs, thelongitudinal edges of the each of said channel legs being secured to anupper edge of each of said shells, there being further included an innerflexible boot secured to and depending downwardly from each of thecentral end portions of said channel and a pair of openable outer flapshaving side edges and a bottom edge, said flaps being secured to saidchannel across the open ends thereof whereby said boots are covered.

23. The combination in accordance with claim 22 wherein the side edgesof said outer flaps are secured to the ends of said downwardly dependingspaced legs of said channel and the bottom edge of said outer flap issecured to a portion of the top edges of said shell.

24. The combination in accordance with claim 22 wherein said outer flapseach include a zipper disposed in the plane of the longitudinal axis ofsaid channel when said case is closed whereby said flaps may be openedand laterally spread apart when said luggage case is opened.

25. The combination in accordance with claim 22 wherein said outer flapseach include an extension adapted to overlay at least the ends of thetop surface of said 7 hinge member and fastening means to secure saidflap extension to the top of said hinge member.

26. The combination in accordance with claim 9 wherein said widertongues of said right angle sections are defined by a thickened centralportion, said thickened central portion being adapted to be deformedwhereby the thinner side portions of said tongue will expand laterallyto the longitudinal axis of said tongue to thereby lock said tongue inthe keyway of said straight section.

27. The combination in accordance with claim 26 wherein said straightsections are extrusions and said right angle sections are castings.

28. A bottom-opening luggage case comprising, in combination:

(a) tWo concave shells hingedly secured to each other whereby, in theclosed condition, said shells define a hollow compartment having opposedsets of peripheral edges;

(b) first and second opposed frame members secured to the peripheraledges of each of said shells;

(c) closure means to releasably secure said shells to each other;

(d) an inverted, open ended, U-shaped, elongated hinge member having acentral portion and two downwardly depending spaced legs, thelongitudinal edges of each of said hinge legs being secured to an upperedge of each of said shells;

(e) an inner, flexible boot secured to and depending downwardly fromeach of the central end portions of said hinge member; and

(f) a pair of openable, outer fiaps having side edges and a bottom edge,said flaps being secured to said hinge member across the open endthereof whereby said boots are covered.

29. The combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein said outer flapseach include a zipper disposed in the plane of the longitudinal axis ofsaid hinge member when said luggage case is closed whereby said flapsmay be opened and laterally spread apart when said luggage case isopened.

30. The combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein said outer flapseach include an extension adapted to overlay at least the ends of thetop surface of said hinge member and fastening means to secure said flapextension to the top of said hinge member.

31. The combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein said hinge is aflexible sheet material member.

32. The combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein said shells arerigid.

33. The combination in accordance with claim 28 wherein said shells areflexible.

34. The combination in accordance with claim 1 including an inside linerfor each of said shells, and means to secure said liners to said framemembers, said liner-securing means for said straight sections of saidfirst frame member comprising a clip, said liner-securing means for saidstraight sections of said second frame member comprising an adhesive.

35. The combination in accordance with claim 34 wherein said straightsections of said first frame member includes a pair of inwardlyextending ledges, said liner being disposed between said ledges, saidclip member being disposed intermediate said liner and one of saidledges to thereby retain said liner in place.

36. The combination in accordance with claim 35 wherein said clip memberis U-shaped and defined by two spaced legs, said legs, in the assembledcondition, being disposed on either side of one of said ledges wherebysaid liner is disposed between one of said legs and the outer of saidledges.

37. The combination in accordance with claim 34 wherein said clip memberis an extruded, rigid plastic.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 943,333 12/1909 Becker 190282,200,972 5/1940 Stein l49 2,788,871 4/1957 Arlitt -49 3,104,740 9/1963Kofiler 19043 FOREIGN PATENTS 550,901 9/1956 Belgium.

FRANKLIN T. GARRETT, Primary Exainmer.

1. A LUGGAGE CASE COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: (A) TWO CONCAVE SHELLSHINGEDLY SECURED TO EACH OTHER WHEREBY, IN THE CLOSED CONDITION, SAIDSHELLS DEFINE A HOLLOW COMPARTMENT HAVING OPPOSED SETS OF PERIPHERALEDGES; (B) FIRST AND SECOND OPPOSED, MULTISECTIONED FRAME MEMBERSSECURED TO SAID PERIPHERAL EDGES OF EACH OF SAID SHELLS, EACH OF SAIDFRAME MEMBERS COMPRISING: (1) A PLURALITY OF ELONGATED, SUBSTANTIALLYRIGID, STRAIGHT SECTIONS SECURED TO THE OPPOSING EDGES OF EACH OF SAIDSHELLS INTERMEDIATE AT LEAST THREE OF THE CORNERS THEREOF, (2) A RIGID,RIGHT ANGLE SECTION SECURED AT SAID CORNER EDGES OF EACH OF SAID SHELLSTO OPPOSED ENDS OF EACH PAIR OF ADJACENT STRAIGHT SECTIONS SAID STRAIGHTSECTIONS AND RIGHT ANGLE SECTIONS BEING CONTIGUOUS WHEN ASSEMBLED TODEFINE, IN COMBINATION, A CONTINUOUS FRAME MEMBER WHEREIN EACH SECTIONOF SAID CONTINUOUS MEMBER IS PROVIDED WITH A SUBSTANTIALLY U-SHAPED,OUTWARDLY FACING GROOVE ON THE OUTER SURFACE THEREOF, THE GROOVES BEINGCONTIGUOUS IN THE ASSEMBLED CONDITION; (C) A RESILIENT BUMPER DISPOSEDWITHIN THE GROOVE, THE OUTER END OF THE GROOVE BEING NARROWER THAN THEINNER END WHEREBY SAID BUMPER IS CAPTURED THEREIN; (D) CLOSURE MEANS TORELEASABLY SECURE SAID SHELLS TO EACH OTHER; AND (E) AT LEAST ONE HINGEMEMBER JOINING THE LOWERMOST EDGE OF EACH OF SAID SHELLS AND AN EXTERNALHANDLE MEMBER SECURED TO ONE OF SAID SHELLS, SAID FRAME MEMBERS BEINGSECURED TO ALL SAID EDGES OF EACH OF SAID SHELLS.